This book is a collection of reflections on the state of education, art and philosophy, principally in modern Turkey. The contributed chapters include: the identity and social roles of teachers; foreign experts’ opinions concerning the structure of the Turkish education system; repercussions of recent Turkish education policies; a provocative essay on the underdetermination of scientific theories; the role of political power on state theatres in Turkey; the relationship between society and art as seen through the lens of theater; the connections between meliorism and other concepts philosophical such optimism and messianism.

Chapter I
Teaching: A profession between sacredness and professionalism
Prof. Dr. Kursad Yilmaz, Dumlupinar University

Chapter II
Investigation of foreign experts’ opinions about the Turkish education system
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Necdet Aykac, Mugla Sitki Kocman University
Mr. Selcuk Atik, M.A., Mugla Sitki Kocman University
Ms. Hilal Bilgin, M.A., Mugla Sitki Kocman University
Ms. Gulsen Ozturk Yurtseven, M.A., Mugla Sitki Kocman University

Chapter III
Repercussions of Turkish national education policies
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vural Hosgorur, Mugla Sitki Kocman University

Chapter IV
Underdetermination of scientific theories
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pakize Arikan Sandikcioglu, İzmir Katip Celebi University

Chapter V
The relationship between political power and state theatres in Turkey
Mr. Emre Savut, M.A., Dokuz Eylul University
Asst. Prof. Dr. Levent Yilmaz, Dokuz Eylul University

Chapter VI
An instinctive motion in art: Automatism
Asst. Prof. A. Reva Boynukalin, Cankiri Karatekin University

Chapter VII
“Good” future expectation of modern man: Meliorism
Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Kundakci, Kastamonu University

Ilker Aysel works as a research assistant at Mugla Sitki Kocman University. He has a PhD in the field of Sociology. His research interests are sociology of education, disadvantageous groups in education, rural life, and criminology.

Yilmaz Ilker Yorulmaz has an MA and is currently studying a PhD in the field of educational administration. He works as a Research Assistant at Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Turkey. His research interests include organizational behavior, critical education, and theories in educational administration.

Caglar Kaya works as a research assistant at Mugla Sitki Kocman University. He has an M.A and studying PhD in the field of educational administration. His research interests are political behaviors in education, risk society, culture of fear, and critical education.

Teacher training, Turkish education system, Education policies, Art and power, Automatism, History of science, Meliorism